BLEHAR

SISTER THERESE MARTIN

Sister Therese Martin Blehar, a Sister of Charity of Nazareth, was called to her heavenly home, on August 7, 2026, at the age 96, and in the 69th year of her professed religious life, at Vincentian Home, after a brief illness.

Sister was born on May 20, 1930, to Pennsylvania natives, Michael and Mary (Solo) Blehar, in Hecla, PA. She was the oldest child with two siblings. She was predeceased by her parents; and her sister, Monica; and brother, Raymond.

Sister Therese Martin entered the Vincentian Sisters of Charity (VSC) from St. Francis's Parish, Coral PA, in the Diocese of Pittsburgh on September 8, 1954, and made her perpetual vows on August 15, 1960. In 2008, she transferred her vows when the Vincentian Sisters of Charity merged with the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth.

Sister Therese Martin received her Bachelor's in Science in Education from Mt. Mercy College (now Carlow) and Master's in Science in Education from Duquesne University. Therese Martin's first mission was teaching elementary school at St. Sebastian in Pittsburgh. Sister taught at many local grade schools in the Dioceses of Pittsburgh and Greensburg as well as having served as a principal at Monessen Catholic.

In 1987, she ended her teaching career to work various ministries including the Vincentian Motherhouse Coordinator responsible for the care of her sisters and lay staff management. In 1996, she became the Pastoral Minister at Vincentian Home providing comfort to the patients until 2008. She finished her active ministry at St Louise Convent in charge of the receptionist area until 2020 when the convent closed. She participated in the prayer ministry until she recently suffered a fall sending her to Vincentian Home for rehabilitation.

She is survived by her nephews Patrick (Kathy) Murray, Raymond (Debbie) and Michael (Beth) Blehar and their families; as well as her religious community, the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth. Viewing will be at St. Louise Convent's Chapel, 8200 McKnight Rd., Pittsburgh, PA 15237, (please enter at the garden automated door after parking), on Thursday, August 13, 2026, from 9 A.M.-10:00 A.M. The Wake will begin at 10 A.M., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, at 11 A.M. A more extensive obituary may be found at www.devlinfuneralhome.com/obituaries/.

Memorials may be made to the Office of Mission Advancement; P.O. Box 9, Nazareth, Kentucky 40048.